The secrets of evolution are death and time — the deaths of enormous numbers of life forms that were imperfectly adapted to the environment; and time for a long succession of small mutations — Carl Sagan
Summary: In a world of infinite resources, there would be no need for competition, and the notion of survival of the fittest would be absent. Consequently, evolution would slow down, leading to a less diverse biosphere. Similarly, if humans were immortal, it could reduce the urgency for innovation, potentially causing societal stagnation.
Resources are Limited
Resources on Earth are limited. Although the Sun provides abundant energy daily and will continue to do so, and this energy has been stored over eons as fossil fuels, the amount of available energy is still finite. This simple constraint has profound implications for evolution.
Biological Evolution in an Infinite Resource Environment
In our world, the finiteness of resources drives the process of natural selection, leading to the mechanism of survival of the fittest. This competition for limited resources has resulted in a diversity of life forms, each adapted to its specific niche.
But what if resources were infinite and there was no need for competition? Can one imagine such a counterfactual world and the evolution of biology in it?
The paradox is that in a world with infinite resources, the driving force behind natural selection would be absent, and the notion of survival of the fittest would be missing. Without the pressure to compete for food, shelter, or mates, organisms would not need to develop specialized adaptations to survive. This could lead to a much less diverse biosphere. Species might evolve more slowly, as there would be no urgency to adapt to changing conditions or to outcompete others for resources. Having plenty might result in stagnation and lack of biological diversity.
Without the need for competition, the concept of “fitness” would be irrelevant. All organisms would have adequate access to resources, leading to a more homogeneous population. Evolution might still occur, driven by random mutations and genetic drift, but the pace and direction of evolution would be vastly different. Organisms that are more efficient and better at conserving their energy would exist alongside those that do not have the necessary traits to do so.
The rich biodiversity of life we see today, with its myriad forms and behaviors, might be replaced by a more uniform, less dynamic, and a less competitive ecosystem.
In another arena of human endeavor where something similar might happen is the fact that our time on this Earth is limited. The fact of our mortality may have shaped our urge and drive for creativity and innovations.
Human Mortality and Creativity
The finite nature of human life has been a significant driver of creativity and innovation. Knowing that our time on Earth is limited, we are motivated to achieve, create, and leave a legacy. Limitation of lime and the pressure to accomplish goals within a finite timeframe spur us to action.
In a counterfactual scenario where humans are immortal and there are no deadlines, the impetus for creativity and innovation might diminish. With infinite time, the urgency to create, discover, and innovate would be greatly reduced. Procrastination could become the norm, as there would always be more time to accomplish tasks. Having plenty of time may result in little.
Human society might become more stagnant, with less frequent innovations and less progress. The drive to solve problems, explore new frontiers, and push the boundaries of knowledge could wane. Art, science, and technology might advance at a much slower pace, as the pressure to innovate would be lessened.
On the other hand, one could argue that immortality could also lead to a deeper exploration of long-term projects and finer pursuits. With no fear of death, humans might undertake endeavors that span centuries, leading to achievements that are currently unimaginable. The focus might shift from short-term gains to long-term sustainability and harmony with the environment. In that counterfactual world we will miss on colorful phrases like “low hanging fruits” or “let us go for some quick wins.”
A difference between the counterfactual world of immortality and counterfactual world of infinite resources is that we have consciousness that gives us a sense of agency that the process of evolution lacks,. Given enough time, we might actually come up with brilliant solutions to social issues that currently plague us. But do not wager on that bet yet.
Ciao, and thanks for reading.
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